Police arrest, charge three people over restaurant robbery

By Jeremy Appel on October 12, 2018.

jappel@medicinehatnews.com @MHNJeremyAppel

The Medicine Hat Police Service has arrested three people in connection with last week’s robbery of the Spice Hut Indian Cuisine restaurant.

At 11 a.m. on Oct. 5, two men wearing masks entered the restaurant within the Travelodge Hotel, producing a pellet gun and demanding cash from a staff member.

Both suspects fled into an awaiting vehicle.

Within hours of the incident, the MHPS arrested Michael Mingo, 35, who was in possession of stolen cash and the gun.

Further investigation led to the execution of two search warrants on local residences Tuesday, culminating in the arrest of Jayson Arndt, 30, the other alleged robber, and Kristopher Hansen, 35, the alleged driver.

Major Crimes Unit Staff Sgt. Chad Holt says “good old fashioned police work and investigation” led to the arrest of Arndt and Hansen.

“Talking to people that might have knowledge of the offence, following up leads and tips … eventually led to more and more information, and we started compiling a case,” said Holt. “We realized we had the right people.”

Mingo faces charges of robbery, wearing a disguise to commit an indictable offence and possession of a dangerous weapon.

He also had several outstanding arrest warrants for unrelated crimes.

Holt said the police originally arrested Mingo on the outstanding warrants and had a tip he could be connected to the restaurant robbery, which they looked into further.

“We were able to determine that he was, in fact, responsible for the robbery as well,” he said.

Arndt faces a count each of robbery, wearing a disguise to commit an indictable offence, breach of recognizance and breach of probation.

Hansen faces a single count of robbery.

Arndt and Hansen are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, while Mingo will appear next on Oct. 23.

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